New Research Shows Oral Delivery of Hyaluronan Absorbs Effectively in Joints

FASEB | Apr 26, 2004

Findings Could Impact Burgeoning Joint Care Supplement Category

Washington. D.C., April 18, 2004 – A consortium of scientists released today clinical research results about oral delivery of radiolabeled Hyaluronan (HA) and its ability to be taken up by joints. Alex Schauss, Director of AIBMR, presented the findings at the 2004 Experimental Biology conference, conducted by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. Hyaluronan has been used for years in veterinary and human medicine as an injection to replace lost joint fluid.

The study was led by Schauss and conducted by a consortium of scientists from the Life Sciences Division of the American Institute for Biosocial and Medical Research Inc. in Puyallup, Washington and the National “FJC” Research Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Institute for Health in Budapest, Hungary. The research was supported by Weider Nutrition International.

“This is the first time HA has been reported to be absorbed orally, which paves the way for HA dietary supplements to be introduced and deliver on anti-aging and joint health promises,” said Dr. Luke Bucci, Ph.D., Vice President of Research for Weider Nutrition International.

Until now, there was no data on pharmacokinetics after oral intake and the therapeutic use of HA was limited to injections or topical applications. The results of this study, which examined the absorption, excretion and distribution of radiolabeled HA after a single oral administration in Wistar rats and Beagle dogs, demonstrated that HA is absorbed and distributed to organs and joints after a single oral administration.

An abstract with complete research details will be published in the April issue of FASEB Journal.